New from Toronto

Jeff · Apr 5, 2021

I'm an almost new owner of a Hyperstrada in Toronto. I've had a monster 620 since around 2007, but will be moving up to a 2013 Hyperstrada any day now. I found the bike I want, checked it out, and will likely purchase it this week (when the banks are open again - don't try to get enough cash from a bank to buy a bike on Easter weekend).

Question: The bike I'm looking at has a tail tidy kit from R&G. The lens is smoke, and when I was driving behind the bike today I could barely tell when a signal went on, and I couldn't see the brake light at all. Can someone direct me to the best forum to pose a question about the best way to replace the existing kit with something that drivers behind the bike can actually see?

Thanks in advance, and talk to you all soon,
Jeff

N4teTheGreat · Apr 5, 2021

Welcome! Mechanical and technical is probably the best forum for that sort of question. I assume when you say tail tidy you mean the owner replaced stock lights for an integrated brake / turn signal unit? Best bet might be to look on ebay for a stock tail light and turn signal and replace the aftermarket smoked taillight.

gatdammit · Apr 6, 2021

R&G is probably one of the better tail tidy kits. I think I have an R&G but it only replaced the plate lamp with LED, which are much brighter than stock. It did not replace the brake or signals. I put Ducati Performance (DP) rear signals. They have a slight smoke finish but are very visible. Brake is OEM. It's old school bulbs but works and is quite visible. I never had much luck with tail kits that tried integrating everything into a single unit. Flash pattern would be off or would affect front signals.

Snap a pic. Oh, and welcome!

nickwst4 · Apr 6, 2021

Jeff,

Welcome to the forum, and I hope the purchase works out. Personally, I abhor those scrappy bits of junk calling themselves 'Tail Tidies' and even more the efforts some owners make to reduce the effectiveness of the lights the manufacturers fitted and had approved for the rider's safety. I have a 1200 Morini Scrambler which a PO took a saw to and lopped off the entire rear extension of the bodywork in order to bodge his own version on. Luckily, he and the next owner from whom I bought this rare bike had kept the bits and several hours work got it back to the way the designer intended. Fortunately, my HS came with all bits and lights intact. As N4te says, I wouldn't hesitate to look for all the original bits and reinstate them.

Good luck!

Nick

Jeff · Apr 6, 2021

Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll look for OEM replacements on eBay.

I suspect there were complaints about this kit because R&G don’t have it on their web site anymore. They seem to have another one with a red brake light and separate signals.

Here is what mine looks like:

ericrobinson · Apr 7, 2021

Hi Jeff - I'm a Toronto Hyperstrada rider - welcome!

gatdammit · Apr 7, 2021

I swear that looks like the OEM brake light, just tinted. Are the brake lights still traditional bulbs?

Jeff · Apr 7, 2021

ericrobinson said:
Hi Jeff - I'm a Toronto Hyperstrada rider - welcome!

Thanks Eric!

Jeff · Apr 7, 2021

gatdammit said:
I swear that looks like the OEM brake light, just tinted. Are the brake lights still traditional bulbs?

I think they are LED. I’ll verify tomorrow.

Jeff · Apr 8, 2021

Jeff said:
I think they are LED. I’ll verify tomorrow.

Confirmed they are LED.

hyperbruno · Apr 9, 2021

gatdammit said:
I swear that looks like the OEM brake light, just tinted. Are the brake lights still traditional bulbs?

It look likes the Moto dynamic integrated tail light.

gatdammit · Apr 9, 2021

My R&G has mounts for signals that yours looks to be missing. My plate holder is larger and plastic, I think.

New from Toronto

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